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Plinia edulis - (Vell.) Sobral

Common Name Cambuca, ambucazeiro, Cambuca-verdadeiro
Family Myrtaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Lowland on alluvial plains and at the base of moist slopes, usually in dense, primary rainforests[416 , 419 ].
Range S. America - northern Argentina, southern Brazil.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Plinia edulis Cambuca, ambucazeiro, Cambuca-verdadeiro


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Plinia edulis Cambuca, ambucazeiro, Cambuca-verdadeiro
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Summary

Cambuca, Plinia edulis, is a tropical fruit tree reaching about 5-10 m high and 30-40 cm in trunk diameter. It is usually grown in Brazil and other parts of South America. It has a dense, pyramidal crown and short trunk. The bark is orange-red and thin. The leaves are simple. Flowers occur in small groups on stems and branches. Fruits are round, orange-yellow, and comprised of yellow pulp and a large seed. It is edible and can be consumed raw or cooked. There is no known medicinal use of this species. The wood is of medium durability and ideal for making tool handles, agricultural tools, cabinets, and precision instruments. The plant is grown from seeds and germination occurs in 40-100 days.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Plinia edulis is an evergreen Tree growing to 7 m (23ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Eugenia edulis Vell. Marlierea edulis Nied. Myrciaria edulis (Vell.) Skeels Myrciaria plicatocostata

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[317 ]. A succulent, fleshy pulp with a delicious, sweet-acidic flavour[416 ]. The fruits are up to 4cm in diameter, containing a single, large seed[416 , 419 ].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Wood

Other Uses: The wood is moderately heavy, elastic, with good mechanical properties, and medium durability. It is suitable for making tool handles and other agricultural tools, precision instruments and cabinet making[419 ].

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Grows best with some shade[419 ]. Prefers a deep, fertile, humus-rich soil[200 ]. Plants have a high requirement for iron[200 ]. A slow-growing plant[419 ].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - it has a very short viability and so should be sown as soon as it is ripe[419 ]. Sow the seed in individual containers and keep in a semi-shaded position. Germination rates are usually over 40%, with the seed sprouting within 40 - 100 days[419 ]. The seed usually germinates within 1 month[200 ]. Seedlings grow away slowly, but are usually ready for planting into their permanent positions within 10 months of germinating[419 ]. Cuttings.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

SOUTHERN AMERICA: Brazil, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Tocantins,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Plinia caulifloraJaboticabaTree13.0 10-12 SLMHNM402

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Vell.) Sobral

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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